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Post by Phil on Mar 1, 2019 16:38:50 GMT -6
Here's a very interesting well thought out article about practice time by Cracking the Code's Troy Grady.
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Post by grampalerxst on Mar 1, 2019 21:05:37 GMT -6
I agree many interesting ideas were raised. The most significant maybe is what is meant by "practice". The author of The Practice of Practice makes the same point. After reading that I thought about it and decided that in my mind practice is anything I do on the guitar where I'm consciously trying to improve something or learn something new, which is the preponderance of what I do. But really, just playing for the sake of playing is practice too. The rub for me is twofold. First is that I missed that intense early-on period of dedicating hours-per-day to the instrument (irrespective of how the time is spent). Second is that my fingers seem to be slow learners so I benefit from some amount of remedial work. Even with that, I spend very little time with exercises like playing scales, just a few minutes per week. Dunno where I'm going with that. As it is now, it's not like I'm tormenting myself with excessive drudgery. I have less guitar time available than I want, and what I do for "practice" is an enjoyable end in itself.
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Post by Phil on Mar 1, 2019 21:27:13 GMT -6
I agree many interesting ideas were raised. The most significant maybe is what is meant by "practice". The author of The Practice of Practice makes the same point. After reading that I thought about it and decided that in my mind practice is anything I do on the guitar where I'm consciously trying to improve something or learn something new, which is the preponderance of what I do. But really, just playing for the sake of playing is practice too. The rub for me is twofold. First is that I missed that intense early-on period of dedicating hours-per-day to the instrument (irrespective of how the time is spent). Second is that my fingers seem to be slow learners so I benefit from some amount of remedial work. Even with that, I spend very little time with exercises like playing scales, just a few minutes per week. Dunno where I'm going with that. As it is now, it's not like I'm tormenting myself with excessive drudgery. I have less guitar time available than I want, and what I do for "practice" is an enjoyable end in itself. You're the first person who came to mind when I read that article. This kind of stuff is right up your alley. I figured you'd enjoy it.
BTW, I bought The Practice of Practice on your recommendation. I'm over halfway through it. Interesting reading what high level musicians do.
I've never been able to practice things like scales. I try for a couple of days and then conveniently forget about them. I don't get much out of it other than a workout for my fingers. I'd rather make little exercises out of the difficult parts and do those a few minutes everyday till I get it. At this stage of the game I need to focus on things that have practical application.
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Post by bluesbruce on Mar 2, 2019 9:15:46 GMT -6
Phil, I'm with you as far as scales and such - I have good intentions, but after a few days or weeks... well, it's just boring and it's more fun to try to learn songs. I found that kind of interesting about developing speed when you're young, then it sort of "maintains itself" as you age. I think developing that kind of speed as an adult may not be possible - or maybe it's just because by then it's not possible to do the "hours-pre-day" with the instrument thing?
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Post by Phil on Mar 3, 2019 8:59:53 GMT -6
Phil, I'm with you as far as scales and such - I have good intentions, but after a few days or weeks... well, it's just boring and it's more fun to try to learn songs. I found that kind of interesting about developing speed when you're young, then it sort of "maintains itself" as you age. I think developing that kind of speed as an adult may not be possible - or maybe it's just because by then it's not possible to do the "hours-pre-day" with the instrument thing? It would be interesting to see if any late starters ever got to a pro level of playing. Of course, when people talk about starting to play late in life they usually mean 18 or 19 years old.
I don't know if you're familiar with Jazz guitarist Jimmy Bruno. He's one of those who put in massive amounts of time practicing as a kid and developed astounding technique. He had some kind of stroke a couple of years ago and was in a coma for a while. He wasn't expected to live let alone ever play the guitar again. Within a year he recuperated almost all of his playing abilities and is back gigging and recording regularly. So, it looks like once you develop an ability it stays with you.
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Post by bluesbruce on Mar 3, 2019 10:32:40 GMT -6
Phil, I'm with you as far as scales and such - I have good intentions, but after a few days or weeks... well, it's just boring and it's more fun to try to learn songs. I found that kind of interesting about developing speed when you're young, then it sort of "maintains itself" as you age. I think developing that kind of speed as an adult may not be possible - or maybe it's just because by then it's not possible to do the "hours-pre-day" with the instrument thing? It would be interesting to see if any late starters ever got to a pro level of playing. Of course, when people talk about starting to play late in life they usually mean 18 or 19 years old.
I don't know if you're familiar with Jazz guitarist Jimmy Bruno. He's one of those who put in massive amounts of time practicing as a kid and developed astounding technique. He had some kind of stroke a couple of years ago and was in a coma for a while. He wasn't expected to live let alone ever play the guitar again. Within a year he recuperated almost all of his playing abilities and is back gigging and recording regularly. So, it looks like once you develop an ability it stays with you.
Phil, I expect it IS possible, but the reality of life is that a lot of people can "spare" 6 (or 8, or even 10) hours per day when they are ages 10 to 18. But by the time you reach 18, then you've got other commitments to your time (like a job or higher education or a family of your own) and you don't have that kind of time to spare. To me, it's really phenomenal that some kids have the focus and direction to do this at such a young age. There's clearly a "nurture" component at play - you won't develop this kind of musical talent if you grow up in a household where there's not much musical exposure or immersion. Did either of your parents play a musical instrument? Neither of mine did. I'm not implying that their parents "push" these kids to do this, but that they do encourage and enable them to do so. Much like stars in "technical" type sports (golf or tennis, for instance) - if you didn't pick those up until you were 18 or 19 - well, you've missed the boat as far as top competitive performance. The comparison with sports breaks down some, though, because "aging" into your late 20's is going to decline your athletic performance, no matter what. Not so for your musical abilities. Interesting stuff, for sure.
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Post by joachim on Mar 3, 2019 11:19:18 GMT -6
If by "pro-level" you mean a virtuoso, then I agree that ship has probably sailed for students like us. But that's not necessarily something we can blame on a late start.
But becoming an adept player, perhaps in a local band is not an unrealistic goal, I think. There are many good (and bad) players, who started early and who are contempt playing in small party bands, or even just jamming with friends. We can't all be Joe Pass or Steve Vai, regardless of how early we start - should that discourage us? I don't think so.
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Post by Phil on Mar 3, 2019 13:11:03 GMT -6
If by "pro-level" you mean a virtuoso, then I agree that ship has probably sailed for students like us. But that's not necessarily something we can blame on a late start. But becoming an adept player, perhaps in a local band is not an unrealistic goal, I think. There are many good (and bad) players, who started early and who are contempt playing in small party bands, or even just jamming with friends. We can't all be Joe Pass or Steve Vai, regardless of how early we start - should that discourage us? I don't think so. I agree 100%. We should never get discouraged just because someone else can do something better. I've come to the point where I'll be very happy to play something along the lines of this video. Both of these guys fall into the virtuoso category and can shred at mind boggling speeds. However, what they're doing here is attainable by anyone who puts forth the effort and it sounds great -- no super fast lines, just some very enjoyable melodic playing.
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